Road to Durmitor

Today has, without doubt been the best day's riding we've ever had. We are both stunned by the beauty of this place. If you get a chance come to Montenegro in the next couple of years before the Eurohoardes arrive. If you can do it on a bike, all the better. We set off today over the mountain above Kotor. 27 hairpins to the top where the whole bay was visible, with all its twists and turns together with the coast to the south. Over the pass we were in a hidden valley with houses, farms and churches then a few more hairpins to crest another hill. Now, in front of us, range after range of mountains, to the horizon. We dropped down into the valley and took the modern A road, fast & twisty to Podgorica, the capital. Next the road narrowed and followed the river, increasingly below us in a limestone gorge. The road was cut into the edge of the rocky mountainside with frequent short tunnels.


Next a left turn along the Tara River. Now it was green and agricultural.. Each house had its fields with small hayricks and the people were out digging their potatoes and selling them by the roadside. A side valley had no bridge so we detoured a couple of miles up it and then back to the main valley. The hillsides were then covered in woodland as the road rose higher above the river. Eventually we reached the famous Tara River Bridge with views up the valley.



After another 22 km of twisty ut flat terrain we arrived in Zabljak. There's not much to this town but it's in the centre of the national park which we'll have a brief look at tomorrow. Have already met a delightful Italian couple who have been here a couple of days, exploring two up on a 1200 GS and part of a group of 15 British hikers. It's amazing how much company there is in the middle of nowhere!

Elvie